Suspect in drug case surrenders

Wife’s whereabouts not known

The man at the center of what authorities call one of the largest methamphetamine trafficking cases in Dawson County history turned himself in last week after several weeks on the run.

His wife, however, remains at large, investigators said.

Kenneth Edward “Eddie” Evans, 45, and Stacey Lynn Linkenhoker, 40, were arrested in March on felony drug distribution charges at a storage facility off Ga. 400.

As a condition of their bonds, authorities could return and search them at any time.

On Nov. 6, investigators searched a small office building at the storage facility where the two were living.

Maj. John Cagle said Linkenhoker was taken into custody after investigators found a small amount of suspected marijuana and a syringe believed to contain methamphetamine hidden in an air conditioning unit.

Arrest warrants were issued late last month after the couple failed to appear for hearings in Superior Court.

Cagle said the couple fled after Linkenhoker was released on bond a second time.

The couple is accused of participating in at least eight dozen transactions involving more than 400 grams of methamphetamine.

Six other people, who have since admitted to selling the drug for the couple over about a two-month period, were also arrested during the March sting.

“The other six have since entered guilty pleas and are serving their sentences,” Cagle said.

With Evans in custody, Cagle said the case will proceed. Efforts are under way to find Linkenhoker.

“She’s still wanted on the additional charges,” he said. “There’s no need to run, because sooner or later she will be caught.”

If convicted, both suspects face a minimum of 25 years in prison.

Anyone with information onLinkenhoker’s whereabouts can call the sheriff’s office at (706) 344-3535.